Animal monitor

ABSTRACT

An animal monitor comprising a microcontroller; at least one three-axis accelerometer; an energy source; a charger; and a communications system, including a wireless transmitter and receiver.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 15/024,196, filed on Mar. 23, 2016 and entitled,“ANIMAL MONITOR” which is a National Stage Filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 ofInternational Application No. PCT/NZ2014/000206, filed Sep. 23, 2014,entitled “ANIMAL MONITOR,” which claims priority to New ZealandApplication No. NZ 615764 filed on Sep. 23, 2013 with the IntellectualProperty Office of New Zealand, each of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally animal monitoring and inparticular to a device, system and method for monitoring the wellbeingon animals.

BACKGROUND

Having real time information is important in any industry. Real timemonitoring of farm animals can help improve productivity andprofitability. At present animals may be monitored for condition andweight gain periodically such as when they are yarded. It would bedesirable to be able to monitor animal health, wellness and weight gainwithout the need to yard the animals.

Thus there is a need for an animal monitor that improves that ability tomonitor an animal's wellbeing or at least provides the public orindustry with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment the present invention consists in an animal monitorcomprising: a microcontroller; at least one three-axis accelerometer; anenergy source; a charger; and a communications system, including awireless transmitter and receiver.

Preferably the animal monitor additionally includes at least one soundsensor.

Alternatively the animal monitor additionally includes at least twosound sensors.

Preferably the at least one three-axis accelerometer is at least twothree-axis accelerometers.

Preferably the communications system includes a Wi-Fi transmitter andreceiver.

Preferably the communications system includes a cellular transmitter andreceiver.

Preferably the charger is a solar charger.

Preferably the animal monitor additionally includes a solar panel.

Preferably the animal monitor additionally includes an array of solarcells.

Preferably the charger obtains energy from the movement of the animal.

Preferably the charger obtains energy from radio waves.

Preferably the form of the animal monitor is an ear tag.

Alternatively the form of the animal monitor is a collar.

Alternatively the form of the animal monitor is a necklace.

Alternatively the form of the animal monitor is an implant.

Preferably the microcontroller is programmed to monitor characteristicsof an animal.

Preferably microcontroller is programmed to record data.

Preferably the recorded data includes the frequency of accelerationduring movement.

Preferably the recorded data includes distance traveled.

In a further embodiment the present invention is a method of monitoringat least one animal using a processor, the method comprising the stepsof: receiving data from at least one animal monitor attached to ananimal; storing the data in association with an identifier of the animalthat the animal monitor is attached to; and analysing the data tocalculate information on the animal with the animal monitor attached,wherein the information includes at least the weight of the animal.

Preferably the weight m of an animal is calculated using the formula

$m = \frac{K}{( {2 \cdot \pi \cdot f} )^{2}}$where K is the matrices of stiffness for the three degree of freedom(3DoF), and f is the frequency of the acceleration of the body duringlocomotion.

Preferably the method including the step of analysing the data tocalculate information on the animal with the animal monitor attachedincluding monitoring the cud chewing frequency of the animal.

Preferably the method including the step of raising an alarm if the cudchewing frequency of the animal drops below a desired level.

Preferably the method including the step of monitoring the wellbeing ofthe animal the animal monitor is attached to.

Preferably the wellbeing of an animal is calculated using a spectralcentroid calculated as the weighted mean of the frequencies present inthe signal of acceleration using a Fourier transform, with themagnitudes as the weights:

${{Wellbeing}\mspace{14mu}{Rank}} = \frac{\sum\limits_{n = 0}^{N - 1}{{f(n)}{x(n)}}}{\sum\limits_{n = 0}^{N - 1}{x(n)}}$where x(n) represents the weighted frequency value, or magnitude, of binnumber n, and f(n) represents the centre frequency of that bin.

Preferably the method including the step of raising an alarm if thewellbeing rank of the animal drops below a desired level.

Preferably the method including the step of receiving data on the growthof the animal antlers; and calculating information on the growth of theantlers based on the received data.

Preferably the method including the step of receiving and storing dataon the animal from other data sources.

Preferably the other data sources includes a scale for measuring weight.

In a further embodiment the present invention includes an animalmonitoring system comprising: a processor; memory; storage; and acommunication device, the processor programmed to: receiving data fromat least one animal monitor attached to an animal; storing the data inassociation with an identifier of the animal that the animal monitor isattached to; and analysing the data to calculate information on theanimal with the animal monitor attached, wherein the informationcalculated includes at least the weight of the animal.

Preferably the weight m of an animal is calculated using the formula

$m = \frac{K}{( {2 \cdot \pi \cdot f} )^{2}}$where K is the matrices of stiffness for the three degree of freedom(3DoF), and f is the frequency of the acceleration of the body duringlocomotion.

Preferably the processor is programmed to calculate information on theanimal with the animal monitor attached including monitoring the cudchewing frequency of the animal.

Preferably the processor is programmed to raise an alarm if the cudchewing frequency of the animal drops below a desired level.

Preferably the processor is programmed to monitor the wellbeing of theanimal the animal monitor is attached to.

Preferably the wellbeing of an animal is calculated using a spectralcentroid calculated as the weighted mean of the frequencies present inthe signal of acceleration using a Fourier transform, with themagnitudes as the weights:

${{Wellbeing}\mspace{14mu}{Rank}} = \frac{\sum\limits_{n = 0}^{N - 1}{{f(n)}{x(n)}}}{\sum\limits_{n = 0}^{N - 1}{x(n)}}$where x(n) represents the weighted frequency value, or magnitude, of binnumber n, and f(n) represents the centre frequency of that bin.

Preferably the processor is programmed to raise an alarm if thewellbeing rank of the animal drops below a desired level.

Preferably the processor is programmed to: receive data on the growth ofthe animal antlers; and calculate information on the growth of theantlers based on the received data.

Preferably the processor is programmed to receiving and storing data onthe animal from other data sources.

Preferably the other data sources includes a scale for measuring weight.

It is acknowledged that the terms “comprise”, “comprises” and“comprising” may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with eitheran exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of thisspecification, and unless otherwise noted, these terms are intended tohave an inclusive meaning—i.e. they will be taken to mean an inclusionof the listed components that the use directly references, butoptionally also the inclusion of other non-specified components orelements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the animal monitoring system of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of the animal monitoring device of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the velvet monitoring method of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a cow with the animal monitor of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a deer with the animal monitor and velvetmonitor of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the Froude number andstride/hip height; and

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between body mass andrelative stiffness.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are described herein with referenceto an animal monitoring device such as an electronic ear tag, animalinformation processing system and a method for obtaining and processinginformation on an animal. The animals that may be monitored with thepresent invention include but are not limited to cattle, dairy cows,sheep, goats, pigs, horse, essentially any domesticated animal and wildanimals. Referring to FIG. 4 a cow 402 with the animal monitor 201attached to an ear 403 is illustrated. Referring to FIG. 5 a deer 502with the animal monitor 201 attached to the ear 503 is shown.

In summary, the animal information processing system includes at least aprocessor, one or more memory devices or an interface for connection toone or more memory devices, input and output interfaces for connectionto external devices in order to enable the system to receive and operateupon instructions from one or more users or external systems, a data busfor internal and external communications between the various components,and a suitable power supply. Further, the system may include one or morecommunication devices (wired or wireless) for communicating withexternal and internal devices, and one or more input/output devices,such as a display, pointing device, keyboard, operating buttons orprinting device.

The processor is arranged to perform the steps of a program stored asprogram instructions within the memory device. The program instructionsenable the various methods of performing the invention as describedherein to be performed. The program instructions may be developed orimplemented using any suitable software programming language andtoolkit, such as, for example, a C-based language. Further, the programinstructions may be stored in any suitable manner such that they can betransferred to the memory device or read by the processor, such as, forexample, being stored on a computer readable medium. The computerreadable medium may be any suitable medium, such as, for example, solidstate memory, magnetic tape, a compact disc (CD-ROM or CD-R/W), memorycard, flash memory, optical disc, magnetic disc or any other suitablecomputer readable medium including organic based systems, for exampleDNA memory chip.

It will be understood that the system herein described includes one ormore elements that are arranged to perform the various functions andmethods. The following portion of the description is aimed at providingthe reader with an example of a conceptual view of how various modulesand/or engines that make up the elements of the system may beinterconnected to enable the functions to be implemented. Further, thefollowing portion of the description explains in system related detailhow the steps of the herein described method may be performed.

It will be understood that the arrangement and construction of themodules, systems, devices or engines may be adapted accordinglydepending on system and user requirements so that various functions maybe performed by different modules, systems, devices or engines to thosedescribed herein, and that certain modules, systems, devices or enginesmay be combined into single modules, systems, devices or engines.

It will be understood that the modules, systems, devices or enginesdescribed may be implemented and provided with instructions using anysuitable form of technology. For example, the modules, systems, devicesor engines may be implemented or created using any suitable softwarecode written in any suitable language, where the code is then compiledto produce an executable program that may be run on any suitablecomputing system. Alternatively, or in conjunction with the executableprogram, the modules, systems, devices or engines may be implementedusing any suitable mixture of hardware, firmware and software. Forexample, portions of the modules may be implemented using an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system-on-a-chip (SoC), fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGA) or any other suitable adaptable orprogrammable processing device.

The methods described herein may be implemented using a general purposecomputing system specifically programmed to perform the described steps.Alternatively, the methods described herein may be implemented using aspecific device or appliance.

In order to monitor and assess various characteristics of an animal theanimal will be fitted with a monitor (the animal monitor). The animalmonitor may take various physical forms, without limiting the form ofthe animal monitor it may take the form of an ear tag, a collar, anecklace or an implant.

In one form the animal monitor is an ear tag, similar to those used foranimal identification in particular the tags used for cattle, deer,sheep, goats and pigs.

Referring to FIG. 2 the monitor 201 would include a microcontroller(“MCU”) 210. The microcontroller 210 is essentially a small computer ona single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, andprogrammable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of NORflash or OTP may be included on chip, as well as a typically smallamount of RAM. The microcontroller will be programmed with a firmware toallow the microcontroller 210 to operate in accordance with the presentinvention.

The animal monitor 201 will included at least one, three-axisaccelerometer 202 and may include an additional three-axis accelerometer203. The 201 monitor 210 would also include an energy source 211 such asan EnerChip smart solid state batteries. The energy source 211 wouldinclude an energy management controller with additional energymanagement optionally being programmed into the microcontroller 210.

The monitor 201 would also include a charger for the energy source 211,optionally the charger could be built into the energy source 211. In oneembodiment a solar panel or an array of solar cells would be used, but acharger that uses the energy from animal movement, from radio waves orany other suitable charging method or a combination of charging methodscould also be used.

The animal monitor 201 further includes a communication system. Thecommunication system is not limited as to form as long as it allows theanimal monitor 201 to communicate with external devices. Examples of thecommunication system include a communication system that can communicateusing hard wire (such as a farm fence wire), drones, amplification bywater, aerial transmission, Wi-Fi, any other license-free frequencies,commercial telephone transmission services and frequencies includingcellular, Bluetooth, satellite link transmissions, and free in spaceoptical communications. The communication system would be used to allowthe animal monitor 201 to communicate with an animal monitoring server101 as seen in FIG. 1. The animal monitoring server 101 stores andprocesses the data received from the animal monitor 201 which is locatedon the animal.

Optionally the animal monitor 201 would include sound sensors with rearand front sound ports 204, 205 or a plurality of sound sensors.

Data from a plurality of animal monitors 201 would be sent by the animalmonitors 201 to an animal monitoring server 101 described below.Whenever data is sent the data will include an identifier of the animalmonitor 201 so that the data may be related to an individual animal whenmultiple animal monitors 201 are used in a system.

Referring to FIG. 1 the animal monitoring server 101 would include a CPU102, memory 103, storage such as a hard drive 104 and a communicationdevice 105 such as an Ethernet controller. The animal monitoring server101 is preferably connected to a communications network 110 to allow theanimal monitoring server 101 to send and receive information from aplurality of animal monitors 201. Further the animal monitoring server101 is preferably connected to the internet and may be accessed remotelyby a user computer or appliance 105 seeking information via a webbrowser or other computer application.

In one embodiment the animal monitoring server 101 would be able toupdate the firmware and application software on the animal monitors 201as improvements are made.

The animal monitoring server 101 would also be able to receive data onthe monitored animals from other sources. Non-limiting examples includethe weight of an animal as it is weighed on traditional electronicscales, information on the actual milk production, wool productionand/or velvet production of the animal.

The animal monitoring server 101 may receive information from theplurality of animal monitors 201 and the other information sources viaan intermediary device 120 or an application that can run on a computerat a farm. The intermediary device may be a dedicated communicationsappliance.

The animal monitoring server 101 will also have an interface, in oneembodiment a web interface that a user can enter data on an animal.

In an alternative embodiment an application for a user input device suchas a computer, laptop, netbook or a mobile communications device may beprovided. Such data will include but is not limited to the animal type,animal breed, date of birth or age, sex, and the National AnimalIdentification and Tracing (NAIT) number of the animal. Additionally theanimal monitoring server 101 would have information including anidentifier of the animal monitors 201 (one or more) that are attached toeach animal.

Whenever the animal monitoring server 101 calculates information on ananimal based on information received from the animal monitor 201 orreceives information on an animal from another source for example theweight of the animal the animal monitoring server 101 stores theinformation and the date the information was received or calculatedassociated with an identifier of the animal monitor 101.

The animal monitoring server or appliance 101 may additionally beconnected to the animal monitors 201 via a communications network 108,as above the type and choice of such network is not limited.

Further it is envisaged that the animal monitoring server 101 would beable to provide alerts to a user via a cellular message to a cellulartelephone 124 or via other messaging device 125. The alert may also begenerated in another form such as an email or a light (red or otherwise)flashing.

The animal monitors 201 provide data that the animal monitoring server101 uses to calculate/generate information on the animal that the animalmonitor 201 is attached to. Non-limiting examples of the informationthat could be provided and used are described below. Whether or not theexamples below would be used in monitoring a particular animal woulddepend on the animal type, but the type of monitoring may also depend onthe individual animal.

While the information below is described as calculated by the animalmonitoring server 101, some or all of the information could becalculated by the animal monitor 201.

In a further embodiment a multi-access gyro when used with a multi-axisaccelerometer and magnetometer can be used to form a combined inertialmeasurement unit to give a total movement monitoring solution. Theinformation from the monitors can be processed in a number of ways toindicate speed, direction and derived position from a reference point.These monitors may be combined with GPS when available. This group ofsensors provides for position and overall motion indication.

Weight or Weight Gain

The animal monitoring server 101 can estimate the weight of the animal.Weight estimation is based on the fact that the value of an object'smass is a unique property, independent of the measurement method, (iegravitational methods used in conventional scales). Inertial mass ismeasured with the use of an inertial balance, or spring loaded pan. Aspring loaded pan method is a dynamic measurement and this method isutilized in the animal monitor 201.

To estimate the weight of an animal the animal monitor 201, monitors themovement of the animal using at least one accelerometer until it detectsa pattern of free walking or running. Then the monitor 201 assesses thesuitability of the sample of free walking or running for estimatingweight. The suitability is accessed based on minimum of the variationsof the stride duration or speed variations or variation of accelerationdata. The suitability of a data sample also depends on the desiredaccuracy of weight gain/loss measurement. As described below theweight/weight gain is determined by measured frequency and the accuracyof the measure frequency is proportional to 1/T where the T is theduration of the data sample. A short data sample/record gives lowaccuracy of measurement of weight;

If the sample is suitable for estimating weight the monitor 201 storesthe sample for forwarding to the animal monitoring server 101. In somecircumstances the sample will be forwarded immediately in othercircumstances it will be stored until a suitable communication means isavailable, such as when a drone flies over, if the animal beingmonitored is in a remote location. The information stored by the animalmonitor 201 includes the speed of the animal and the frequency ofoscillations during locomotion. The animal monitoring server 101 thenestimates the weight of the animal based on Hook's Law.

It is known that conversion of potential energy to kinetic during themovement of the animal is governed by the principal of a spring loadedmass. The spring stiffness is represented as muscular skeletalattributes of the animal for example tendons and joints. Based on thisan assessment of the weight is made based on Hook's Law and harmonicoscillator principle, where the oscillation frequency of the massattached to a spring is inversely proportional to the mass.

In the preferred embodiment weight data is stored by the animalmonitoring server 101 from a number of animals with known weights. Usingthe speed of the animal and the frequency of oscillations duringlocomotion as keys the animal monitoring server 101 can look up a tablewhich consists of the whole body stiffness coefficients matrices and therelevant Froude numbers for the specific speeds and types of a gait.

As seen in FIG. 6 the Froude number has a direct relationship 601 to thestride and hip height when compared to speed. Further as seen in FIG. 7research has shown that relative whole body stiffness 701 is related tobody mass.

Thus the body mass changes estimation can be established, as:

${\Delta\; m} = \frac{Fn}{( {{2 \cdot \pi \cdot \Delta}\; f} )^{2}}$where Δm—mass changes, Fn—Froude number, Δf—changes in frequency of theacceleration of the body during locomotion

Further the body mass can be established, as:

$m = \frac{K}{( {2 \cdot \pi \cdot f} )^{2}}$where K is the matrices of stiffness for the three degree of freedom(3DoF), and f is the frequency of the acceleration of the body duringlocomotion.

Accordingly based on this method the animal monitoring server 101 cancalculate and store both the change in weight and the actual estimatedweight of an animal. While this has been described as being calculatedusing the animal monitoring server 101, in an alternative embodiment theanimal monitor 201 may store the tables in firmware and perform theweight calculation.

Alternatively weight may be measured using a measurement system based onthe model of the tag movement governed (described) byF≡E·S, where

-   -   F termed as stress tensor;    -   S termed as strain tensor;    -   E elasticity tensor

Based on tensor resolved solutions the weight measurement W could beevaluated, for example, as outputs of the model of the spring loaded panor Hook's Law:W=k/(2·π·f)², where

-   -   k stiffness coefficient;    -   f frequency        or as solutions of impulse of the forces acting upon the tag:

${W = \frac{{P \cdot \Delta}\; t}{\Delta\; V}},$where

-   -   P termed as acting force;    -   ΔV changes of a velocity;    -   Δt time duration of the velocity change.        Cud Chewing

The animal monitor 201 of the present invention would for this use haveat least two three-axis accelerometers 202, 203 fitted at a knowndistance and at least two sound sensors 204, 205 with ports on oppositesides of animal monitor 201. This allows the sound sensors to operateindependently.

One of the sound sensors would be directed to the ear side of themonitored animal and process sound transduced via bone conduction. Theother sound sensor would processing ambient sound and could in oneembodiment be used to detect rustlers.

Animal body locomotion in general is a status of a three degrees offreedom system without pitch, yew and roll, and can be determined by one3-axis accelerometer. An animal monitor 201 implemented as an ear taghas six degrees of freedom and the tags rotational, centrifugal andgravitation accelerations are mixed, and cannot be resolved with onlyone 3-axis accelerometer output. In order to obtain six degrees offreedom acceleration data with regarding to translational and rotationalmotion we need to resolve multiple acceleration signals and a minimum oftwo 3-axis accelerometers to distinguish ear tag attitudes from bodymovements are needed.

The animal monitor 201 would use the received information from thesensors including the sound sensors 204, 205 and a lookup tableconsisting of a list of conceivable patterns of the incoming informationto identify the activity that corresponds to the patterns. Theactivities are activities in the animal's daily routine for example:walking, lying and resting, or specific to the breed cud chewing.

Information on the speed of the animal and the distance the animal hastraveled are also able to be stored by the animal monitor 201 to belater sent the animal monitoring server 101.

Information on the activities of the animal are then sent to the animalmonitoring server 101.

Cud chewing is important, all animals have to eat. If an animal isunwell as a result of ill health or trauma, generally speaking the firstthing that happens is that the animal's eating patterns change. Thefrequency of chewing, and therefore food intake, decreases. With a cowit is more noticeable as the cow is a ruminant. This means that it bitesoff the grass, swallows it, which then is stored in the first stomach.It then regurgitates the grass from its first stomach by belching,masticates it again and swallows it once again. This goes into thesecond stomach. This is repeated once again before the grass goes intothe large intestine. Most cows need to cud chew 60-80 times a minute. Soif they are unwell they don't chew. The cud chewing data identified bythe animal monitor 201 would be sent on a regular basis to the animalmonitoring server 101 and stored for example in a database. If the cudchews decrease to a critical level, the animal monitoring server 101 cansend an alert to a user. The alert can be SMS, email, phone message oralarm to a phone 124 or other device 125. The alert can be sent towhoever wishes to see it or to whoever someone else wishes to receiveit.

The animal monitoring server 101 protocols for the alerts can beestablished and the rules can be manipulated by the end user. The ruleswill be sent to the central database, then the instructions shalldetermine what packets of data are required to be collected, stored orsent. The display of this data can be in the form of graphs, tables ornumbers on a user interface. In respect of alerts, it can be theanimation of the cow number or name, a voice message, or an alarm.

In another embodiment the animal monitoring server 101 would store thedata locally and monitor for an unwell animal and then send the alarmdata only if the animal is unwell. This may be used if one of thecommunications channels is expensive to send data over. The stored datacould be collected when for example the animals come into the yards orwhen a drone flies over. However the un-wellness data which is importantwould be sent immediately over the more expensive channel.

Deer Velvet Estimator

In a further embodiment the animal monitoring server will be able toevaluate and monitor the rate of velvet growth. Referring to FIG. 5which shows a deer in order to estimate the rate of growth of deervelvet an additional monitor or sensor 501 (the velvet sensor (r₂))similar to the animal monitor 201 would be attached to the antlers of adeer. The animal monitor 201 would be attached to the deer's ear. Theadditional monitor 501 (the velvet monitor) may have similarfunctionality the animal monitor 201 or may have more limited features,for example its communication module may only be able to communicatewith the animal monitor 201.

To calculate the velvet growth the animal monitoring server 101 may senda request for data collection to the animal monitoring tag 201 (the eartag (r₁)), which operates as a transceiver. In an alternative embodimentthe animal monitor 201 may be programmed to periodically collect data onvelvet growth.

In order to collect the data on velvet growth the animal monitor 201(ear tag sensor (r₁)) sends a query to sensor 501 (the velvet sensor(r₂)) to initiate data exchange.

Referring to FIG. 3 the sensors 201, 501 with accelerometers are mountedon the ear tag and rigidly attached to the velvet at distance r₁ 301 andr₂ 302 from the head rotation point 303.

It is known that the radial acceleration measured by accelerometer r₁ isa ₁ =w ² r ₁where w is angular velocity and the radial acceleration measured byaccelerometer r₂ isa ₂ =w ² r ₂

The difference between the two measurementsa ₂ −a ₁ =w ²(r ₂ −r ₁)

So the measurement of difference D is a2−a1 if both accelerometers' havethe same angular velocity, which can be measured as the rate of the eartag rotation. This difference being D will then be proportional to thedistance or length from the ear sensor r₁ 301 to the rigidly placedsensor on the velvet r₂ 302 and ultimately is proportional to the velvetlength.

Once we have D is it possible to use a lookup table to calculate thegrowth in cm or can we look up a previous D to identify the percentageof growth since last measured?

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is the normal or abnormal condition of intrinsic attributes ofa physical state and physiological state and is accessed by measuringthe physiological system responses to a primary factor of life. Inparticular the gravitational forces asserted on a body. Combined thevariances observed provides an overall picture of the physical andphysiological states of a body and these observations can then bebenchmarked against known traits of wellbeing.

In the present invention the attributes of a spectrum of theoscillations or repetitive action of the system of mass, for example thelocomotion of the animal body, working against or as a result of appliedgravity force are used as a measure of wellbeing of the animal. Theanimal monitor using at least one 3 axis accelerometer can make thesemeasurements. The points of measurement may be located at any physicallocation on the body, and these locations and the number of theselocations are determined by a test object and the task of the test. Inthe preferred embodiment these measurements are made using the animalmonitor 201 but in an alternative embodiment a plurality of monitors maybe used.

The segments of reaction can manifest information about dynamicproperties and intrinsic conditions of such animals and the compactnessof the data representation provides opportunities for the study ofhidden processes, a new way of interpreting the results, data exchangeand storage. The lengthy data can be substituted with parameters andstatistical factors or with set of data, which correspond to severalmeasuring point in the test.

Wellbeing rank essentially is descriptors of the spectralcharacteristics of the specific forces acting of body during themovements and could be evaluating in several forms. In one embodimentwellbeing rank was evaluated as spectral centroid but the presentinvention is not limited to the spectral centroid and other forms ofspectral classification could be used.

The spectral centroid is calculated as the weighted mean of thefrequencies present in the signal of acceleration or in the signal ofspecific forces acting upon the body, determined using a Fouriertransform, with their magnitudes as the weights:

${{Wellbeing}\mspace{14mu}{Rank}} = \frac{\sum\limits_{n = 0}^{N - 1}{{f(n)}{x(n)}}}{\sum\limits_{n = 0}^{N - 1}{x(n)}}$

Where x(n) represents the weighted frequency value, or magnitude, of binnumber n, and f(n) represents the centre frequency of that bin.

The wellness rank would in one embodiment be calculated by the animalmonitoring server 101 based on data supplied by the animal monitor 201.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description ofthe embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been describedin detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or inany way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Further,the above embodiments may be implemented individually, or may becombined where compatible. Additional advantages and modifications,including combinations of the above embodiments, will readily appear tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broaderaspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatusand methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly,departures may be made from such details without departure from thespirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive concept.

What we claim is:
 1. An animal monitor comprising: a microcontroller; atleast one three-axis accelerometer, in communication with themicrocontroller, the at least one three-axis accelerometer providingdata to the microcontroller; an energy source for powering the monitor;a charger for charging the energy source; and a communications system,associated with the microcontroller, the communications system includinga wireless transmitter and receiver, wherein the animal monitor isconfigured to attach to an animal, wherein the microcontroller isprogrammed to analyse the data to calculate information on the animalwith the animal monitor attached, and wherein the information includesthe wellbeing of the animal the animal monitor is attached to, andwherein the wellbeing of an animal is calculated using a spectralcentroid calculated as the weighted mean of the frequencies present inthe signal of acceleration using a Fourier transform, with themagnitudes as the weights:${{Wellbeing}\mspace{14mu}{Rank}} = \frac{\sum\limits_{n = 0}^{N - 1}{{f(n)}{x(n)}}}{\sum\limits_{n = 0}^{N - 1}{x(n)}}$where x(n) represents the weighted frequency value, or magnitude, of binnumber n, and f(n) represents the centre frequency of that bin, thefrequencies being the number of oscillations of a norm of accelerationper unit of time.
 2. The animal monitor as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe monitor additionally includes a least one sound sensor incommunication with the microcontroller.
 3. The animal monitor as claimedin claim 1 wherein the form of the animal monitor is one of the groupconsisting of an ear tag, a collar, a necklace, and an implant.
 4. Theanimal monitor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microcontroller isprogrammed to monitor characteristics of an animal.
 5. The animalmonitor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microcontroller is programmedto record data including at least one of the frequency of accelerationduring movement and the distance travelled.
 6. The animal monitor asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the microcontroller is programmed tocalculate information on the animal with the animal monitor attachedincluding monitoring a cud chewing frequency of the animal.
 7. Theanimal monitor as claimed in claim 6 wherein the microcontroller isprogrammed to raise an alarm if the cud chewing frequency of the animaldrops below a desired level.
 8. The animal monitor as claimed in claim 1wherein the microcontroller is programmed to: receive data on the growthof the animal antlers; and calculate information on the growth of theantlers based on the received data.
 9. The animal monitor as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the microcontroller is programmed to receive and storedata on the animal from other data sources.
 10. The animal monitor asclaimed in claim 9 wherein the other data sources include a scale formeasuring weight.
 11. A method of monitoring at least one animal using aprocessor, the method comprising the steps of: receiving data from atleast one animal monitor attached to an animal; storing the data inassociation with an identifier of the animal that the animal monitor isattached to; and analysing the data to calculate information on theanimal with the animal monitor attached, wherein the informationincludes at least the weight of the animal determined based onmonitoring movement of the animal including at least one of the animalwalking or running and based on conversion of potential energy tokinetic energy during the movement of the animal; and wherein theinformation includes the wellbeing of the animal the animal monitor isattached to, wherein the wellbeing of an animal is calculated using aspectral centroid calculated as the weighted mean of the frequenciespresent in the signal of acceleration using a Fourier transform, withthe magnitudes as the weights:${{Wellbeing}\mspace{14mu}{Rank}} = \frac{\sum\limits_{n = 0}^{N - 1}{{f(n)}{x(n)}}}{\sum\limits_{n = 0}^{N - 1}{x(n)}}$where x(n) represents the weighted frequency value, or magnitude, of binnumber n, and f(n) represents the centre frequency of that bin, thefrequencies being the number of oscillations of a norm of accelerationper unit of time.
 12. The method of monitoring at least one animal asclaimed in claim 11 including the steps of: receiving data on the growthof the animal antlers; and calculating information on the growth of theantlers based on the received data.
 13. The method of monitoring atleast one animal as claimed in claim 11 including the step of receivingand storing data on the animal from other data sources.
 14. The methodof monitoring at least one animal as claimed in claim 13 wherein theother data sources include a scale for measuring weight.
 15. An animalmonitoring system comprising: a processor; memory; storage; and acommunication device, the processor programmed to: receiving data fromat least one animal monitor attached to an animal; storing the data inassociation with an identifier of the animal that the animal monitor isattached to; and analysing the data to calculate information on theanimal with the animal monitor attached, wherein the informationcalculated includes the wellbeing of the animal the animal monitor isattached to, and wherein the wellbeing of an animal is calculated usinga spectral centroid calculated as the weighted mean of the frequenciespresent in the signal of acceleration using a Fourier transform, withthe magnitudes as the weights:${{Wellbeing}\mspace{14mu}{Rank}} = \frac{\sum\limits_{n = 0}^{N - 1}{{f(n)}{x(n)}}}{\sum\limits_{n = 0}^{N - 1}{x(n)}}$where x(n) represents the weighted frequency value, or magnitude, of binnumber n, and f(n) represents the centre frequency of that bin, thefrequencies being the number of oscillations of a norm of accelerationper unit of time.
 16. The animal monitoring system as claimed in claim15 wherein the processor is programmed to calculate information on theanimal with the animal monitor attached including monitoring a cudchewing frequency of the animal.
 17. The animal monitoring system asclaimed in claim 16 wherein the processor is programmed to raise analarm if the cud chewing frequency of the animal drops below a desiredlevel.
 18. The animal monitoring system as claimed in claim 15 whereinthe processor is programmed to: receive data on the growth of the animalantlers; and calculate information on the growth of the antlers based onthe received data.
 19. The animal monitoring system as claimed in claim15 wherein the processor is programmed to receive and store data on theanimal from other data sources.
 20. The animal monitoring system asclaimed in claim 19 wherein the other data sources include a scale formeasuring weight.
 21. The animal monitor as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe microcontroller is programmed to raise an alarm if the wellbeingrank of the animal drops below a desired level.
 22. The method ofmonitoring at least one animal as claimed in claim 11 including the stepof raising an alarm if the wellbeing rank of the animal drops below adesired level.
 23. The animal monitor as claimed in claim 15 wherein theprocessor is programmed to raise an alarm if the wellbeing rank of theanimal drops below a desired level.
 24. The animal monitor as claimed inclaim 7 wherein the microcontroller is programmed to raise an alarm ifthe wellbeing rank of the animal drops below a desired level.
 25. Theanimal monitor as claimed in claim 17 wherein the processor isprogrammed to raise an alarm if the wellbeing rank of the animal dropsbelow a desired level.
 26. The animal monitor as claimed in claim 10wherein the microcontroller is programmed to raise an alarm if thewellbeing rank of the animal drops below a desired level.
 27. The methodof monitoring at least one animal as claimed in claim 14 including thestep of raising an alarm if the wellbeing rank of the animal drops belowa desired level.
 28. The animal monitor as claimed in claim 20 whereinthe processor is programmed to raise an alarm if the wellbeing rank ofthe animal drops below a desired level.